Botswana Wildlife Safari

Botswana Wildlife Safari

Botswana remains one of the greatest countries on the continent of Africa for wildlife photography. It’s remote, seemingly limitless wilderness is vast and untrammeled by the hand of man. Lions, leopards, Zebras, Giraffe and vast herds of African Elephants roam the expansive plains of this land-locked country situated between South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Explore the wilds of an Africa that seems stuck in a time forgotten.

Our Botswana Wildlife Safari is a photographic journey like no other with design and dedication to capturing the wildlife of Africa while traveling in a unique and authentic local style. We travel by plane, custom safari boat and open vehicles to show you the incredible variety of wildlife that Botswana has to offer.

This trip takes us deep inside Chobe National Park where the highlights will be a multi-day river cruise along the Chobe River as well as the Okavanga Delta. We’ll explore the wildlife rich banks of the Chobe River by custom-built safari boats – allowing us to get amazingly close to large herds of elephants, impalas, buffalo and other wildlife as they appear on the banks. Incredible, full-frame eye-level shots of swimming hippos and hunting lions are possible as we cruise down river each day.

Aside from our river excursion there will also be plenty of time in open safari vehicles to capture the action. The biodiversity of wildlife here is incredible with over 50 species of mammal and 350 species of birds – so the action is literally non-stop!

Return each night to a luxurious safari-style “camp” which feature luxurious amenities, incredible food and comradery with your fellow photographers under the starry African skies.

If wildlife photography is your passion then a trip to Botswana with Backcountry Journeys needs to be on your list. Our meticulous scouting, camp selection and world-class logistics leave no stone unturned in creating the most memorable travel experience to the African continent.

Join us on this incredible adventure this year or next and experience the African wilderness.

Please note: This is a “standard” tour so there is little to no hiking on this trip. Most of the excursion is by boat or 4×4 safari vehicle.

2020 Departures

2021 Departures

Physical Requirements
All participants must be in good physical condition and have the ability to walk a day-pack.

Group Size
We keep groups small to maximize your one on one time with the guide / instructor.

Accommodation
Included throughout the trip.

Meals

Most meals are included during the trip dates (please see itinerary)

Price Includes
Most Meals, ground transportation, bush-flights, accommodation during the trip dates, expert local guides, professional photography instruction.

Price Does Not Include
Airfare, alcoholic beverages, accommodations before or after the trip dates, guide & staff gratuities

Departure City

Johannesburg, South Africa

Itinerary

Please note: This is a “standard” tour so there is little to no hiking on this trip. Most of the excursion is by boat or 4×4 safari vehicle.

Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day One (Travel Day)

Leave home and travel to Johannesburg, South Africa

Day Two (Travel Day) (D)

Arrive in Johannesburg in the evening. After clearing customs you will be met by our tour representative and transferred to your hotel. Meet and greet dinner along with orientation this evening.

Day Three (B, L,D)

We will transfer to the airport for a short flight to Kasane. This afternoon we will have our first game-drive in Chobe National Park.

Days Four & Five (B, L,D)

The next three full-days will be dedicated to game-drives in Chobe National Park photographing lions, elephants and other wildlife. Afternoons & evenings in-between drives will be spent at our stunning safari camp/hotels.

Days Six, Seven & Eight (B, L,D)

The next three full-days will be dedicated to exploring the Chobe River via custom-built and privately chartered safari boats. This is an incredible experience as we are often able to get really close at wide variety of wildlife.

Days Nine, Ten & Eleven (B, L,D)

We will take a bush-flight to the Okavanga Delta to explore this incredibly wildlife rich region. These days will be devoted to photographing a variety of wildlife in delta including giraffe, rhinos, crocodiles, lions, elephants and leopards!

Day 12 (B, L)

After our final morning we have a short bush-flight to Johannesburg for international flights home this evening. Most international flights leave Johannesburg in the early evening.

Day 13

Arrive back home after a once in a lifetime experience. Begin pouring over your images!

Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and nature photography we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions regarding wildlife or natural phenomena.

“This is the second trip I have taken with Backcountry Journeys and it was the second outstanding experience. Great guides who really know photography and were to get the best photos. There was a pretty wide range of skill in our group of six and the guides were able to assist all levels with equal level of attention. Again, made a group of new friends. Selected restaurants and accommodations did not disappoint with open selections from the menus. Guides do the heavy lifting with the bags. Another unforgettable experience. I am sure I will tour with BCJ again.”

Richard DPennsylvania

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Other Recommended Trips

Backcountry Journeys

"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris to incredible locales such as Yosemite, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Hawaii, Utah as well as Botswana, India & Costa Rica."

Level 1
Activities include road-based photography sessions and /or light walks. Sometimes they involve getting into and out of small boats depending upon the trip (all of our standard & boat-based trips are level 1). Walks are generally on smooth dirt trails or paved pathways.

Level 2
Activities include light walking along maintained dirt trails and pathways with your camera gear. Mileage is generally between three and five miles but elevation gain is never more than a few hundred feet.

Level 3
Activities include walking and hiking along trails that may have more significant elevation gain. Mileage is generally between four and seven miles and elevation gain may be up to 1500 feet. Trails may be uneven, rocky and slippery.

Level 4
Activities include hiking on more challenging trails that are steep, uneven and with elevation gain up to 2500 feet. Mileage will vary but can range from five to nine miles.

Level 5
Our most challenging activity level for those who like to really push it! Activities include steep hiking on rough, rugged trails and often in trail-less wilderness areas. Expect significant elevation gain and lots of sweat!

We offer both standard & boat-based photography trips as well as hiker trips that cater to those who want to put on the miles in order to get the shot! Accommodations are always included on Backcountry Journeys trips and we have several different styles that can range from comfortable Lodge-Based trips, Cruises, Wilderness Eco-Lodge trips, Backpacking & Wilderness Camping trips. Read more about our trips styles by clicking below.